Home Theater Experts.........

[Anubis]

I guess I don't really need experts just someone that can help me out. I just picked up a new surround sound system for my living room. I purchased the Samsung ht-x50 5.1 1000w system from BestBuy because it was a deal I couldn't pass up (only 179.99!).

Now onto the problem.....

I have hardwood floors so running wire across them is a pain in the ACE to say the least. That being said the rear speakers are "wireless ready" when you use an adapter. So does anyone currently use an adapter like this for their rear speakers? I know sound quality is effected, but how much?

The only other option is to pull off all my shoe molding and tuck the wire behind that and nail it back. I know you can buy molding with a space for wire inserts, but I am trying to avoid this route. What do you guys think? Any better ideas?

[babaki]

just keep in mind. wireless speakers are a pain. either

a. you have to keep changing stupid batteries
b. they arent really wireless because you have to plug them in

for this reason, i dont use rear speakers. unless of course, if i had carpet i would. i use front, center, and sub.

[GlxyGry06Si]

Originally Posted by Anubis

I guess I don't really need experts just someone that can help me out. I just picked up a new surround sound system for my living room. I purchased the Samsung ht-x50 5.1 1000w system from BestBuy because it was a deal I couldn't pass up (only 179.99!).

Now onto the problem.....

I have hardwood floors so running wire across them is a pain in the ACE to say the least. That being said the rear speakers are "wireless ready" when you use an adapter. So does anyone currently use an adapter like this for their rear speakers? I know sound quality is effected, but how much?

The only other option is to pull off all my shoe molding and tuck the wire behind that and nail it back. I know you can buy molding with a space for wire inserts, but I am trying to avoid this route. What do you guys think? Any better ideas?

as a retired best buy home theater installer i will help you how i can.

wireless speakers are convenient but you will sacrifice quality.

like he said they are not wireless they are just speaker wireless. you still have to plug them into the wall.

sounds like you got a good deal.

i would leave them wireless becuase it would be more conveninent. to the untrained ear you will now know the difference so wireless speaker would probably work for you.

[074doorSI]

I would pop off your moldings and tuck the wires in behind them. You don't need any special moldings, there is usually a gap below the sheetrock that the wires will tuck nicely into.

[Anubis]

good stuff thanks guys!

It was an incredible deal for Cyber Monday that I just had no choice but to bite lol. Thanks again good info from all three of you.

[Toxis]

Seriously, it's a Samsung HT system, whether you go wireless or not, you cannot get less sound quality. Buy the module and be happy. The module just makes it wireless from the front to the back of the room where you plug the module into the wall for power and the two speaker wires run into it as well. There's no such thing as truly wireless except battery powered and what sense does that make?

My advice, save the money and just use the TV. You're not benefiting sound wise other than some stuff flying around your head and some muddy, distorted bass. Why not just get a boombox and get more output?

[tommyroo]

Just lurking for ideas since I bought my GF one of these for x-mas http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1164156710855

[Anubis]

Originally Posted by Toxis

Seriously, it's a Samsung HT system, whether you go wireless or not, you cannot get less sound quality. Buy the module and be happy. The module just makes it wireless from the front to the back of the room where you plug the module into the wall for power and the two speaker wires run into it as well. There's no such thing as truly wireless except battery powered and what sense does that make?

My advice, save the money and just use the TV. You're not benefiting sound wise other than some stuff flying around your head and some muddy, distorted bass. Why not just get a boombox and get more output?

hmmm you make it sound like a Samsung HT system or any HT system is a waste of money either way I go......interesting. I do see some of you points though. For the price, with the DVD upconversion, xm radio, ipod use, and much more power than my current system I thought it was well worth $179.99.

thanks

[GlxyGry06Si]

Originally Posted by Anubis

good stuff thanks guys!

It was an incredible deal for Cyber Monday that I just had no choice but to bite lol. Thanks again good info from all three of you.

your welcome

Originally Posted by Anubis

hmmm you make it sound like a Samsung HT system or any HT system is a waste of money either way I go......interesting. I do see some of you points though. For the price, with the DVD upconversion, xm radio, ipod use, and much more power than my current system I thought it was well worth $179.99.

thanks

your right. for the money the ht's in a box are a great buy and for less than 200 bucks that was a steal. what he is saying is that if you were buying it for a damn good sounding system then you wasted your money. for the average person you are perfectly fine.

example time........

for MOST people the dcrh is perfectly fine

for a FEW people the SSR race header the all they will have

one is 400 bucks the other is over a grand.


for me i will never get a all inclusive sound system but i am about to buy a 1500 dollar system. i am very picky about my sound. i have a nice tv, hd, and i need to complete it with the sound.

to each their own.

[nsl]

Originally Posted by Anubis

I guess I don't really need experts just someone that can help me out. I just picked up a new surround sound system for my living room. I purchased the Samsung ht-x50 5.1 1000w system from BestBuy because it was a deal I couldn't pass up (only 179.99!).

Now onto the problem.....

I have hardwood floors so running wire across them is a pain in the ACE to say the least. That being said the rear speakers are "wireless ready" when you use an adapter. So does anyone currently use an adapter like this for their rear speakers? I know sound quality is effected, but how much?

The only other option is to pull off all my shoe molding and tuck the wire behind that and nail it back. I know you can buy molding with a space for wire inserts, but I am trying to avoid this route. What do you guys think? Any better ideas?

Are the rear speakers hanging on the wall or in corners?If so,you may be able to run the wires from the receiver, up the wall and through the attic,then back down to the rears.You would have to either live with the wires on the wall or hide them somehow.Or,if your on a sub-floor you can run them under the house.

[Anubis]

^^ good idea but my house in two story.

[Anubis]

Originally Posted by GlxyGry06Si

your right. for the money the ht's in a box are a great buy and for less than 200 bucks that was a steal. what he is saying is that if you were buying it for a damn good sounding system then you wasted your money. for the average person you are perfectly fine.

Good point....I just wanted better sound and the extra things i listed above and HDMI capabilites make this system much better than what I currently have. I have a nice tv and HD service, and simply wanted a more powerful system with better features. I feel you though, but there is no way in the world I could even begin to justify a $1,500 system to my wife. I am sure that is badass sounding, but the trade off would be trips to louis vuitton for her and no thanks on that lol.

thanks again.

[GlxyGry06Si]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Good point....I just wanted better sound and the extra things i listed above and HDMI capabilites make this system much better than what I currently have. I have a nice tv and HD service, and simply wanted a more powerful system with better features. I feel you though, but there is no way in the world I could even begin to justify a $1,500 system to my wife. I am sure that is badass sounding, but the trade off would be trips to louis vuitton for her and no thanks on that lol.

thanks again.

your welcome. if you have any other problems you can pm me. i love to talk home theater.

[yippieguy]

I'd get 1/4 'round molding on the floor. It almost always has a diagonal cut-out on the back of it so there'll be room for wire if it's thin enough. OR you can get thin channeling that has sticky backs on it and a white cap that clips over it.. if that's behind a couch or on a non-important wall, then that's an easy solution for you.

IF you have access to the basement (if you have one), or into the crawlspace under the house, then that's a good way to get across the room too.. drill a little hole at each required position and you're good to go!

J

[Toxis]

Originally Posted by Anubis

I am sure that is badass sounding, but the trade off would be trips to louis vuitton for her and no thanks on that lol.

thanks again.

That's saying a $1500 surround system is the equivalent of a LV hand bag. I'm sure you can get a good system for 1500 but in comparison to the hand bag market, you'd be more in the upwards of $10k range.

As a true audio nut (some say audiophile, I say picky and not Best Buy top of the line picky, REAL audio equipment), I think it's a waste of money to buy any surround system under $500. There's a few moderate systems for that range that are at least upgradeable later that will give you some decent sound. You say the Samsung unit is an upgrade from what you have now, but what are you listening to? A clock radio? That thing is 1000w as I am 20ft tall (5'4 actually haha). Not only is it rated at 10% THD (anything over .7-1% is audible to the human ear), but that's one speaker at a burst of power. True power under audible distortion, full range to all speakers can't be more than 300w tops. I guarantee the speakers of my 34" tube TV will not only be fuller sound but have less distortion. The only benefit of the HTiB is the subwoofer for a bit more bass than usual but if it's muddy and sounds like a wet fart, what's the point? This is the problem with the Audio industry! No one cares about sound quality anymore. People think spending $800 on a surround sound is ridiculous and more than they'd ever need or be able to hear the difference. Sure you can't hear the difference if you don't sit down to listen to the comparison. I don't know how many people I cup my hand around my mouth to while explaining the features of HTiB's to them. When they say "Why are you doing that?" I say "Well, this is what people think sounds good." Then I'll show them a set of real speakers and watch them say "Oooooooooh!" It's truly a sad but people are happy with Transistor radio sound again.

So yes, I'm the guy who people think is nuts for spending $9k on a HT (almost 1k just in my cables) but I understand that most people don't need what I need. Most people should have $1500 in their main room and be happy. That should be the norm, not 150! I don't believe in putting a surround setup in every room that has a TV. I refuse to put one in my living room where i spend 95% of my viewing. I might someday add two speakers and a small sub but I'll never put surround. For that, I'll go to the man cave and fire up the HT. You'll notice I refuse to call cheap systems Home Theaters and I call them surround sound because HT means something that gives you a theater experience while cheap systems will only surround you with sound. Big difference and that difference is the experience. If you don't want to spend $1500 on a good setup, fine! Enjoy your TV as that's the best you'll get. Why waste money on something that will break in under a year and a half?

[/soap box]

[GlxyGry06Si]

Originally Posted by Toxis

As a true audio nut (some say audiophile, I say picky and not Best Buy top of the line picky, REAL audio equipment),

Why waste money on something that will break in under a year and a half?

[/soap box]

first off best buy also owned magnolia hi/fi but as a ht nut im sure you knew that. Yamaha is not real audio? with a thd of .04 i think they do fine. HDMI compatible recievers they do just fine. for a reciever thats around 700 bucks thats a great deal from a great company.

second off best buy carries some great stuff for the above average ht guru. there will always be somewhere that carries something more expensive equipment. if i ever spent 9k on a ht system i would shoot myself in the face that way i would not procreate. that 2 superchargers. i would hope that everything in you life is paid off.

the last comment im sure was not directed at any ht system in the normal stores. im sure if you get one at the dollar tree then it might break. things last a good while if you take care of them. even the 99.99 dollar systems.

the op bought a samsung which is a very respectable brand. if its taken care of it should last 8-10 years.

[e60.deluxe]

Toxis, i dont think your crazy, but i am curious as to what your running for $9,000.

i am a bit of an audiophile myself and i too dont believe in cheap HT. stereo can be very effective when done correctly and if your not going to spend a proper amount (i think its closer to $1500) than surround is a waste.

im only running 5ch right now but im very happy with it.

if i ever spent 9k on a ht system i would shoot myself in the face that way i would not procreate. that 2 superchargers. i would hope that everything in you life is paid off.

and im sure there are people out there who would shoot themselves in the face for spending $4.5k on supercharger...doesnt mean you should buy a used chevy aveo instead. if you read Toxis' post he says that $1500 is reccomended. seriously.

also, i am curious to why you would shoot yourself in the face in order to not procreate?

$179 is very little. i would not even bother turning off the built into the tv speakers for that. i would get a respectable 2 channel amp and find some decent pair of speakersfor $179 before spending $179 on a HITB.

[GlxyGry06Si]

Originally Posted by e60.deluxe

$179 is very little. i would not even bother turning off the built into the tv speakers for that. i would get a respectable 2 channel amp and find some decent pair of speakersfor $179 before spending $179 on a HITB.

to us yes. to MOST people no. they dont have the same ears as us so they dont know the difference.

to most people the will just get an intake. i will however get a supercharger.

i know what you are saying but we are a different group of people.

[Anubis]

Toxis- I understand where you are coming from.....I really do. I will be happy with my purchase and if it breaks in "a year and a half" then so be it. I just wanted something to increase the sound downstairs. Everyone seeks something different, like a bunch of my friends that wonder "why waste 22k on a CIVIC" or "its just a civic". To each their own on just about everything. I do appreciate the insight that everyone has given, and I love honesty. If you think I wasted $179 I love to hear it....it doesn't bother me in the least, and I greatly appreciate other's ideas.

BTW, I was simply joking around saying that anything more than a few hundred will get the wife pissed enough to go buy more damn LV bags. We have a mutual understanding in our household, and to stay true to that I simply will not spend a ton of money on the perfect audio setup.

[tbone]

You got a good deal on a nice HT system that'll do everything you need it to.
Don't listen to the "audiophiles" trashing your system. It'll do everything you need it to and be a nice upgrade over what you have.